The idea of a lawn that takes care of itself is every homeowner’s ultimate fantasy. Thanks to artificial turf, this dream is attainable for everyone to admire! Many people look to this alternative for the main reason of never having to water their lawn ever again which is definitely an excellent incentive on its own. However, there are many more benefits than meets the eye. Discover all of the wonderful advantages that artificial turf has to offer and find out how you can bask in all its glory.
What Is Artificial Turf?
Artificial turf is essentially synthetic grass made of plastic fibers designed to feel as close to organic grass as possible. Smart Turf is one of the more popular brands as it’s considered one of the best on the market. This is because Smart Turf has many incredible benefits that other brands can’t compete with such as the use of Microban antimicrobial technology. This material provides protection against bacteria, viruses, and fungi which is the main reason why it’s also used in hospitals and healthcare.
While subpar artificial turf has an obvious plastic appearance from its rough cut and shiny surface, Smart Turf looks identical to authentic grass and it doesn’t stain or smell. The brand had supplied their product to popular programs such as:
- The Bachelor
- HGTV
- Rob Riches
- BYOT
Benefits Like You Wouldn’t Believe
Absolutely Zero Maintenance
Once artificial turf is installed, there’s nothing more that needs to be done. You can freely enjoy your new, flawless lawn without ever having to worry about any sort of maintenance whatsoever. No watering, mowing, healing, or repairing. You can literally sit back and spend your time on more important things like catching up on that show you’ve been meaning to finish.
The Biggest Money Saver
It won’t take long for you to notice a much happier wallet. Sometimes you don’t realize just how much money is spent on lawn upkeep until you no longer need to do it, but the results are glorious all the same. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the average household uses around 320 gallons of water a day and about 30% of that water is spent on the yard. You can also cut out the cost of running and repairing a lawn mower along with those expensive bags of fertilizer. To really hammer in what you’ll be saving, here’s a quick rundown:
| Maintenance Type | Average Cost per Year |
|---|---|
| Water | $530 |
| Mower | $180 |
| Fertilizer | $300 |
| Total | $1,010 |
The Installation Process
It’s entirely possible to install artificial turf completely on your own. However, you should expect highly intensive physical labor. This task is known to be incredibly difficult and tedious, and it can end up being a waste of effort if done wrong or poorly. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you may notice tears, gaps, overlapping, and other inconsistencies after the fact. Plus, the process requires specialized tools that you may never use for anything else. But if you’re ready to take on such work, here is a basic overview of the steps.
Creating the Base
Building the foundation of your artificial turf is the most important as well as the most difficult step in the process. You’ll need to:
- Kill and remove your existing lawn
- Install borders along the edge of your desired space
- Plan out a subtle slope for drainage
- Fill the area with infill material of your choice
- Level and compact your infill with a vibratory plate
Things to note when creating your base:
- Your slope should be just angled enough for proper drainage but not enough to where there’s a noticeable slant when you’re standing on it.
- The consistency of your infill material should be somewhere between sand and large rocks. The softness of sand will cause dips after a short amount of wear and large stones will feel uncomfortable on the feet, but a nice balance between the two will give off a natural ground feel.
- Vibratory plates can be rented, but they’ll cost around $100 per day and it’ll take two or more days to install your base.
Laying Out the Turf
Make sure you carefully align your artificial turf before you roll it out to ensure evenness. Cutting your turf longer than the area being covered will prevent you from undercutting and you can always trim it down later. If the turf is smaller than your area, you’ll need to cut smaller strips of turf and seam the pieces together. Just be sure that the pieces are arranged in a way that the grain is facing the same way before securing everything down. You’ll need to hold the pieces together with turf seam tape before bolting them down with landscape spikes and applying outdoor carpet adhesive.
Securing the Turf
As you go down securing your artificial turf, be sure to stretch out the layer before you apply the stakes to prevent air pockets. If you still end up with wrinkled or loose areas, you can use a carpet kicker to flatten it out. Once you’re finally done installing your turf, fill in the seams with sand and sweep it down so there aren’t any visible cracks to trip over.
Phew, you’re finally done!
Leave It to the Professionals!
If reading the installation steps was enough to tire you out, we don’t blame you. Successfully laying out artificial turf is no small feat, but we’ve got you covered! To save money, avoid mistakes, and spare your physical stamina, it’s better to hire a professional with years of experience in the field. For guaranteed satisfaction with your new lawn, call JR’s Tree Service today at 626-523-9362 for a free quote. You can also request an appointment online for your convenience.
Everyone at JR’s Tree Service is licensed, certified, and insured by California state standards and follows all OSHA safety regulations. With over a decade of excellent service in the Pasadena, San Marino, and Sierra Madre areas, you can relax knowing that you’re in good hands.
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